Doing a pregnancy test

If you think you could be pregnant you should do a pregnancy test as soon as possible. You can buy a pregnancy test from a pharmacy and most supermarkets to do yourself, or if you are a young person or were not planning to get pregnant SWISH Services can offer a free test.

Some women want to be pregnant and may have planned for it, while others did not intend to get pregnant and may wish to consider an abortion. Whatever your situation, it's normal to feel a range of emotions when you find out you are pregnant. You may feel some, all, or none of the following:

happiness that you are able to get pregnant

shock that you are actually pregnant

worry that you aren't ready, or can't afford, to have a baby

anger that you are pregnant when you didn't want to be

anxiety about what other people might think

excitement about what is going to be a big change in your life

unsure what to do, and concern that you might make the wrong decision

slightly scared about the process of pregnancy and childbirth

Whatever you feel, you now need to think about what to do. It's important to take time to make the decision that's right for you, but it's also important not to delay making your decision.

For some women it can be very difficult working out what to do. If you are unsure about whether or not to continue with a pregnancy you may find it helpful to call the Pregnancy Advice Line that operates 24 hours a day every day of the year. You can contact them on 0345 013 0124, and you do not need a referral to call them. Your GP or staff at our SWISH Services can also talk things through with you, and can arrange additional support for you, if required, to help you arrive at your decision.

If you are pregnant your options are:

Continue with the pregnancy

Considering an abortion.

Adoption

If you want to continue with the pregnancy, contact your GP surgery to book an initial appointment with the midwife to start your antenatal care. If you are homeless and living in Somerset, you can register at your nearest GP surgery as an emergency user and then book an initial appointment with the midwife.

If you choose to have an abortion, call the One Call Pregnancy Advice Line on 0345 013 0124; it is a self-referral service and will make all the arrangements with you. They are open 24 hours, 7 days a week; services are free and confidential, even if you are under 16.

If you are considering adoption, please contact SOMERSET DIRECT on 0300 123 2224 to discuss this further.